A 39-year-old Pahoa man who died in a two-vehicle crash on Hawaii island has been identified as Ernest Jackson.
Shortly after 2:50 p.m. Thursday, police said, a 1991 Nissan pickup truck operated by a 28-year-old Pahoa woman was traveling toward Pahoa town on Highway 132 with a 25-year-old male passenger.
Maj. Sam Thomas of the Hawaii Police Department said the truck made a right turn onto Highway 130, darted ahead of a 1996 Yamaha motorcycle operated by Jackson and “cut him off.” Jackson braked but struck the pickup truck from the rear.
Police said the truck fled the scene.
Jackson was transported to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:56 p.m.
Police said the Nissan pickup truck diver turned herself in Thursday at the Pahoa Police Station and was arrested on suspicion of second-degree negligent homicide, leaving the scene of an accident involving death or serious bodily injury and driving without a license.
This was the 24th traffic-related fatality on the Big Island compared with 15 at the same time last year.
Anyone with information on the fatal crash is asked to call police officer Keith Nacis at 961-2339 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.
Visitor critical after snorkeling off Wailea
A 55-year-old visitor from China was in critical condition Friday after he was pulled from waters fronting the Wailea Ekahi Village condominiums.
According to a Maui Fire Department report, the man was snorkeling along the reef with his wife but was missing when his wife returned to shore. He was later spotted about 30 yards offshore and was brought back to the beach by witnesses.
A police officer visiting from the mainland performed CPR on the man until firefighters and paramedics arrived.
Paramedics performed advanced lifesaving measures until the man regained a pulse. He was then transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center.
This was the second incident in consecutive days at Keawakapu Beach.
On Thursday a 52-year-old woman from Canada died after she too was separated from her spouse while snorkeling and was later found floating in the ocean.
Suspect arrested in Big Island burglary
Hawaii island police have charged a 43-year-old Pepeekeo man in connection with a burglary in Ninole on Aug. 8.
A koa paddle and koa countertop as well as Hawaiian quilts, furniture, appliances and other household items were taken during the break-in.
Police arrested Michael Quevedo at a Honomu residence Thursday. He was later charged with one count of first-degree burglary.
Police are also seeking a Hilo man in connection with the incident.
Eduardo Lopez Jr., 33, is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, 175 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Lopez has three outstanding bench warrants and is also wanted for questioning in an unrelated incident.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any other information about it is asked to call the Big Island police nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Bobbie-Jo Sagon at 961-2375 or Bobbie-Jo.Sagon@hawaiicounty.gov.
